How Health Risk Management programs can increase productivity in your business

Implementing a Health Risk Management (HRM) program to mitigate workforce health risks can save employers spending on health and improve worker productivity.

On average ISOsafe's HRM programs provide savings of $2.03 for every $1 invested. The savings offset the increased costs of compliance. 

Examples of initiatives within a HRM program include:
•    Workday fitness activities such as walking challenges
•    Exercise programs available at the workplace
•    Sponsored or discounted fitness memberships or on-site fitness centre
•    Lunch and learn health programs (healthy cooking, disease education, etc.)

The success of any HRM program is largely based on employee engagement. Some rewards to encourage participation and achievements can include:
•    Paid time off – can be as little as an early out Friday or paid half or full days off
•    Cash equivalents – small cash incentives or gift cards or drawings for same
•    Merchandise – company t-shirts, health-specific merchandise (FitBit, pedometer, etc.)
•    Travel/Tickets – drawings for premium items such as weekend trips or concert tickets

Implementing a HRM program at your workplace can reduce expenses related to:
•    Absenteeism
•    Presenteeism
•    Productivity
•    Creativity
•    Insurance premiums
•    Legal Compliance

While you’re creating a healthier and happier workforce, look to ISOsafe for help with enterprise risks.

Non-government disability service providers and the law

Members of the National Disability Services (NDS) have very specific Work Health & Safety (WHS), Environment & Quality reporting requirements. 

As an employer, every non-government disability service provider is legally obliged to exercise a duty of care to protect their workers (including any volunteers and contractors) against potential WHS risks. Risks to disability support workers include:
•    manual handling, such as heavy lifting;
•    slips, trips and falls;
•    bullying and harassment;
•    electrical safety, for example from damaged equipment; and
•    use of chemicals, such as for cleaning and laundry.

ISOsafe can assist non-government disability service providers with WHS Management Systems & training, as well as, the upkeep of benchmarking data,  general policies, and record keeping.

For expert advice on DisabilityCare Australia (National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)), Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and anti-discrimination legislation contact ISOsafe today.

Why all business owners and employers should implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) (ISO 14001:2015) today

More and more customers are asking for environmental credentials as part of their supplier approval process. Requests may be made in tender applications or supplier questionnaires. Customers questions can range from 'does your business have an environmental policy?' through to 'is your business ISO 14001 certified?'

There are a number of advantages to having an Environmental Management System (EMS). From a corporate social responsibility standpoint, it demonstrates that a business is committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Government bodies and multinational companies are often inclined to select a contractor/supplier based on evidence of a well maintained EMS, as it demonstrates effective risk management and due diligence.

A well designed EMS also helps businesses avoid costly environmental impacts through established protocols derived from operational assessments (environmental aspects) and consideration of regulatory frameworks.

The identification of a business’s most significant environmental impacts also creates opportunities to operate more efficiently. Such opportunities may include cost reducing waste management and energy consumption strategies, translating to increased profits and a competitive advantage over other contractors/suppliers in the market. A well maintained EMS formalises environmental performance and ultimately assists business’s in the achievement of financial objectives / targets.

To get started with an EMS for your business today email us at: enquiries@isosafe.com.au 

Benefits of ISO certification for businesses

ISOsafe helps Australian business owners stay on top of workplace safety ( OHS / OH&S / WHS / WH&S ) regulatory changes, but did you know we can also assist with ISO certifications such as Quality (ISO 9001), OHS (ISO 45001 / OHSAS 18001 / ASNZS 4801) and Environmental (ISO 14001) Management Systems?

Some of the benefits of ISO certification for businesses include:
•    demonstrate commitment to their products / services and the environment;
•    competitive advantage - win government and high risk (transport, mining and construction) tenders (RFP);
•    greater employee engagement through training, communication & accountability;
•    better governance and management of suppliers and outsourced processes;
•    minimise waste and duplication;
•    boost operational performance & achieve cost savings;
•    achieve legal compliance;
•    gain corporate reputation; and
•    reduce workplace injuries, accidents & incidents.

Food Retailers (Restaurants) & Manufacturers: Campylobacter awareness

Food poisoning is the name for the range of illnesses caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or drink. It is also sometimes called foodborne illness. It is quite common, affecting an estimated 4.1 million Australians each year. The symptoms can be unpleasant and for some groups they can be quite serious.

Campylobacter is one of the most common cause of food poisoning and is considered to be responsible for more than 200,000 cases of food poisoning each year. More than 80,000 of these were confirmed to be campylobacter poisoning (also known as campylobacteriosis) by laboratory reports.

Here are Eight Things All Food Retailers & Manufacturers Can Do Today:

1. Defrost in the fridge
Place poultry in a covered container on the bottom shelf of the fridge to defrost away from cooked/ready-to-eat foods. Check poultry is fully defrosted before cooking.

2. Never mix raw poultry and cooked food
Keep raw poultry separate from cooked and ready-to-eat food.

3. Avoid cross-contamination
Ensure hands, equipment and surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with soap, hot water and appropriate disinfectant after contact with raw poultry or its packaging.

4. Cover and chill
Cover raw poultry and store at the bottom of the fridge so juices cannot drip on other foods.

5. Check it’s cooked
Poultry should be cooked thoroughly until steaming hot with no pink meat and juices must run clear. Check this at the thickest part. If barbecuing, consider pre-cooking in the oven first, then finish on the barbecue for flavour.

6. Don’t wash raw poultry
Splashing water spreads germs to hands, equipment, surfaces and other foods.

7. Cook marinades
Don’t put sauce or marinade on cooked food if it has already been used with raw poultry.

8. Contact ISOsafe today
Don't risk a food complaint! State Government Food Authorities work closely with local councils to ensure food sold to consumers is both safe and correctly labelled. ISOsafe can deliver in house food safety awareness training to your workers, as well as, undertake a full assessment of your restaurant / food manufacturing / food storage (warehouse) facility.